Colorado Calling - The Fluid! Live!

Any blog post celebrating the miracle that was the Fluid has to begin with a major nod in the direction of Dave Clifford's previous ruminations on that most hallowed of Denver rock combos. He ably handled the group's history (how they formed through a collision of that region's best hardcore bands like The Frantix and Urban Waste), the material they recorded and released on various labels (Sub Pop, most notably), and most important of all, he paid due reverence to the utterly blistering live shows they were known for delivering from shore to shore.

To call the Fluid responsible for some of the most monstrous stage performances of the late 80s and early 90s isn't the irresponsible verbage of someone with a limited frame of reference, but a commonly held opinion that'll tumble from the mouth of pretty much anyone who saw them during that time period. They were carelessly lumped in with the grunge phenom, but rather than toiling away with sludgy riffs stuck in first gear, the Fluid tapped heavily into the explosive presence of bands like Black Flag or The MC5 and propelled that energy into lurching rock anthems that summoned absloute hammer-pulsed desperation amongst show-goers. They had the hooks, they had the looks, and they drove the crowd absolutely mental on every occasion I was fortunate enough to see them. If anyone deserves a DVD career retrospective, it's the Fluid. Here are two videos from either end of their all-too-short lifespan that act as suitable evidence to that fact.

The Fluid - "Cold Outside" - Live at Bogart's (Los Angeles), 1989 [Download WMV Video] (10.2M)

The Fluid - "Cop a Plea" - Live at the Gothic Theater (Denver), 1993 [Download WMV Video] (11.5M)

Real Audio links to songs from the WFMU archives: On My Feet || Change || Don't Wanna Play || Tin Top Toy || Madhouse || Hooked

External Fluid links: Flickr || Sub Pop || Trouser Press || Friction Interview || Amazon || Noise for Heroes

Fluid gig flyer archive: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8

Thanks to Listener Susan for her assistance with this post!

Comments

[mike]

Did you see their Court Tavern show circa '88? Quite good. Made me feel guilty for not liking their records more.

[mike lupica]

Nope, missed the Court show but saw them open for GWAR and Mudhoney (duh) at City Gardens the following October, and then many other times at Maxwell's.

[The Contrarian]

I saw the Fluid sometime in 1990 or 1991 at Maxwell's. They were loud as hell and kicked ass. I was right in the front row and ended up being in a video for one of the songs off of their "Glue" album, I think. Definitely one of my favorite moments at Maxwell's.

[Susan]

You are a saint for making this happen... I'll send you some more Fluid goodies soon!

xo,
Fan of The Fluid 1986-present

[denver.westside.locos]

Shit, saw those guys for the first time in 85 when they played an outdoor gig at the Ft. Colllins Center for the Arts with some other 80's Colorado heros, Happy World. They melted the trees.

I heard they're reuniting for a special party on MTV's THE REAL WORLD DENVER!

You crazy Denver veterans RULE for putting this blog together. Thanks!!

[Scott]

THE FLUID RULE! Would Tear it up with the Boys when ever they played Milwaukee @ the legendayr Unicorn. Still have Hand Bills from back in the day. WILDEST FUCKING BAND FROM THE ERA! BAR NONE!

[Skyper]

John, the singer, was so hot!!! iechiewawa

[Jones]

I used to love the Fluid. Saw them plenty back in the day at 7 South, Gothic, Fox, etc. Always a great show. I was at their Purplemetalflake release party and also their last show. Too bad Sub Pop won't release the masters of Clear Black Paper so it can be released on cd. At least I have a copy on vinyl. It would be great to see some live shows find there way out to us fans.

[xsfs]

You need to download real player to play most of the files.
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[anglejolie]

He is one of the best singer.
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angle
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